In this session, we will discuss in detail the definition of Normalization of Deviance and how it has contributed to major accidents, including both Space Shuttle disasters. Examples will be provided of Normalization of Deviance in operating and maintaining process plants, as well as in our daily lives.
Participants will:
Gain an understanding of how to stop Normalization of Deviance
Learn how to identify and correct this behavior
Take this concept home to apply with their families
After more than 50 years of root cause analysis (RCA), you might expect problem solving to be a clear and straightforward process. It’s not. You can find yourself caught in unproductive debates. “Is that a contributing factor, or a causal factor?” “That’s a primary cause, but it’s not the main cause.” The result is frustration, inefficiency, and solutions that allow a repeat of the same problems.
A better approach to RCA is one built on evidence-based cause-and-effect relationships. The steps are simple: define the problem, explain why it happened, and identify solutions to reduce risk. Its focus is on having more reliable work processes, learning, and improving, which helps engage the frontline and minimize blame.
This session will explain the pitfalls of drifting from scientific problem solving and features a case study demonstrating how first-principles RCA leads to tangible improvements in reliability and human performance.
Participants will learn:
Four common errors that arise when explaining why an incident occurred
The biggest misconception about RCA
Why effective RCA does not require any proprietary techniques, terminology, or software
How RCA can be scaled for low-risk incidents and expanded as needed for higher-impact events.
How to reduce “human error” by involving those who perform the work
Moderator:
Bill Clark, Phillips 66
Speakers:
Bill Clark, Phillips 66
Mark Galley, ThinkReliability
A common theme amongst refiners is the collective desire to avoid unnecessary costs. Exchanger and equipment fouling leads to increased maintenance costs, reduced energy recovery and lower throughput capacity degrading the refiners bottom line. Sonic and ultrasonic technologies are a relatively new tool available to refiners to reduce the energy and cost impact associated with fouling induced performance degradation. Review of multi-year case studies from global refiners will elucidate the energy and cost saving benefits of properly applied ultrasonic technology.
Moderator:
Mark Cox, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
3. Preheat Train Monitoring Methods
How do you reprocess slop oil in your refinery? Join us at this Town Hall session to discuss how others in the refining industry handle slop and best practices for success. Come share your experiences with the group and learn from industry experts about effective slop oil reprocessing techniques.
Pyrophoric materials pose significant safety risks during unit shutdown and maintenance activities, and pyrophoric incidents continue to occur across the refining industry. Effective strategies for prevention and mitigation of pyrophoric activity are critical aspects of turnaround planning and execution. This presentation will explore the underlying mechanisms of pyrophoricity and discuss best practices for managing pyrophoric risk, including chemical treatment, engineering, and procedural solutions. Additionally, the presentation will dig into a real industry incident that occurred in 2017, the root causes and the steps taken in the past seven years to prevent recurrence. By providing a comprehensive overview of pyrophoric activity prevention strategies, this session aims to equip refining professionals with the knowledge and tools to mitigate safety hazards and enhance operational integrity in high-risk environments.
Moderators:
Diana Cheek, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Katie Marshall, Refined Technologies, Inc.
Presenters:
Diana Cheek, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Katie Marshall, Refined Technologies, Inc.
Dan Wood, HF Sinclair
This session will introduce an integral part of maintenance and reliability engineers’ responsibilities to capital projects. How this relationship and communication is important to get safe, reliable, and maintainable equipment installed when working with a capital project team.
In this session, leaders in plant maintenance from two major companies in the fuel and petrochemical manufacturing industry will discuss the advantages of a company-wide standard process for routine maintenance. Gaining alignment on a common work practice across a large and geographically diverse portfolio can be challenging, but the resulting organizational discipline can yield improved efficiency, reliability and decision-making. The speakers will provide a high-level overview of their routine maintenance processes and share key success factors for implementing a common maintenance work practice at multiple facilities.
Participants will:
Learn the major elements of a routine maintenance process
Hear examples of strategies for a successful wide-scale implementation
Ask questions to understand how a common work practice for plant maintenance can be applied at their company
Moderators:
Mike DeHart, Valero Energy Corporation
Speakers:
John Duenckel, Valero Energy Corporation
Tom Golden, LyondellBasell Industries